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10-22-15 03:43 PM
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Every single one of us under His will has a story to tell. I didn't see a thread for this, so you can share your "coming to Jesus" moments here! I'll start: I don’t remember my first encounter with Christ. It was such a long time ago that memories of specifics have faded into the mist, so to speak. What I do remember are many sessions of Sunday school and going through my grade school years in a Baptist church. I’d even been baptized an early age. I knew of God’s existence, but did I truly believe in Him? From my flawed human perspective, I would say no. I merely put the God of the universe in a box, worshiping Him only on Sundays and holidays. One might say that I was going through the motions. Eventually, as a result, my teenage years were a mess. I was completely and totally out for myself, always looking for the easy way out from things like chores and commitments. As you might well imagine, all that got me into was more trouble. Even when I actually tried of my own power to do things like my chores, they would always come out halfway finished. Looking back on all that, I realize that it was a combination of two things that kept me from really succeeding: my need to control the situation as well as my lack of discipline. I think God for conditioning and maturing me through those years. It was a slow process, but I think my parents put me on the right path, according to his will. After graduating high school, I was fully expecting to be enrolled in Frederick Community College. Of course, God had other plans. One day, my mom brought to my attention the fact that my aunt was attending classes at another college called Hutchinson Community College. After much indecision, I decided to go. One of the things that swayed me toward that decision was the idea of going to church again. I’ve been so far we from the fullness of His will, and I had this desire to come right back in again. September 8, 2013 was my first visit to a little church called Believers Tabernacle in Hutchinson, Kansas. I thought the initial service was way too long. I thought that the worship service was way too long, and the actual sermon was kind of boring. Regardless, I kept on going. I realized that back then, God was trying to show me something. With every passing week, I kept on going and going, with God showing me more and more. Over time, He brought more and more revelation to me. I discovered that it wasn’t my will that had control; it was His. I discovered that, while I had to have the discipline to follow God’s word, that it wasn’t a meritocracy: I got his love by His grace and mercy alone. He loves me no matter what I do because it’s not about me or anyone else on earth, but it’s about spreading His word and exalting His name. Am I a perfect person? Absolutely not. Even though I’ve given it all to Jesus Christ, there are times when I still wander away, when I still backslide. I need not worry however, as I know that God eagerly awaits every step I take towards him. I’m not amazing that memorizing scripture just yet, but I do remember something about, “so long as the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?” I will leave you with this, however. No matter how far you’ve wandered, it’s never too late for you to turn right back to Him. Thank you for your time. I don’t remember my first encounter with Christ. It was such a long time ago that memories of specifics have faded into the mist, so to speak. What I do remember are many sessions of Sunday school and going through my grade school years in a Baptist church. I’d even been baptized an early age. I knew of God’s existence, but did I truly believe in Him? From my flawed human perspective, I would say no. I merely put the God of the universe in a box, worshiping Him only on Sundays and holidays. One might say that I was going through the motions. Eventually, as a result, my teenage years were a mess. I was completely and totally out for myself, always looking for the easy way out from things like chores and commitments. As you might well imagine, all that got me into was more trouble. Even when I actually tried of my own power to do things like my chores, they would always come out halfway finished. Looking back on all that, I realize that it was a combination of two things that kept me from really succeeding: my need to control the situation as well as my lack of discipline. I think God for conditioning and maturing me through those years. It was a slow process, but I think my parents put me on the right path, according to his will. After graduating high school, I was fully expecting to be enrolled in Frederick Community College. Of course, God had other plans. One day, my mom brought to my attention the fact that my aunt was attending classes at another college called Hutchinson Community College. After much indecision, I decided to go. One of the things that swayed me toward that decision was the idea of going to church again. I’ve been so far we from the fullness of His will, and I had this desire to come right back in again. September 8, 2013 was my first visit to a little church called Believers Tabernacle in Hutchinson, Kansas. I thought the initial service was way too long. I thought that the worship service was way too long, and the actual sermon was kind of boring. Regardless, I kept on going. I realized that back then, God was trying to show me something. With every passing week, I kept on going and going, with God showing me more and more. Over time, He brought more and more revelation to me. I discovered that it wasn’t my will that had control; it was His. I discovered that, while I had to have the discipline to follow God’s word, that it wasn’t a meritocracy: I got his love by His grace and mercy alone. He loves me no matter what I do because it’s not about me or anyone else on earth, but it’s about spreading His word and exalting His name. Am I a perfect person? Absolutely not. Even though I’ve given it all to Jesus Christ, there are times when I still wander away, when I still backslide. I need not worry however, as I know that God eagerly awaits every step I take towards him. I’m not amazing that memorizing scripture just yet, but I do remember something about, “so long as the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?” I will leave you with this, however. No matter how far you’ve wandered, it’s never too late for you to turn right back to Him. Thank you for your time. |
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It's always very nice to hear stories of people coming to God/coming back to God even after pulling away from Him for many years My testimony is pretty different since I'm only 15 and haven't had as much life experience, and me coming to God and beginning to follow Him was pretty recent. When I was a toddler I was diagnosed with a social disorder called Autism. It had changed my life for the worse for quite a while since I had used to be pretty social. Throughout many years before middle school I sometimes wanted to get involved in crazy and loud things but most of the time I really wanted to watch everyone else do it instead. The only thing I remember that I for sure got involved in with many other people was dancing in my church's kids program. I was pretty passionate about it and I loved singing the worship songs we danced along to each week. Middle school was where my life took some sharp turns. In 6th grade I was getting less interested in doing well in school due to video game addictions. I still got good grades for the most part but I got a D in my English class, which my parents punished me for until my 2nd trimester of school that year was over. They have always had high expectations for me in classes since I've always done well with learning things and retaining them for long periods of time. Thankfully, I learned my lesson from that and began to apply myself more in school like I used to. 7th grade was when I took a turn for the worse. Before that time I had always believed in God and wanted to follow the Ten Commandments. But in 7th grade I decided I would try to blend in with my peers since I was sick of getting teased/bullied for being myself. I was hanging out with a couple people from the wrong crowd and they greatly influenced me during that entire year. I started doubting God's existence since even when I believed in Him, life wasn't going well. I didn't realize it was all my fault until the following year. I was swearing, making horrible jokes, and more when I was around those certain people. However, when I wasn't around them I was usually quiet, thinking that if I say something uncool that my goals would be ruined. At least I was still getting good grades. Well, they were anyway. I'd gotten myself even lower in popularity and many of the peers that liked me before didn't like me anymore. In 8th grade I met a Christian who is now my best friend. It was her first year in my school district so I was one of the few people she knew once we started talking. She didn't know about my efforts to be cool and neither did most of the people in that class. When I was around her and the guy sitting next to me, I wasn't interested in doing all the bad things I was doing elsewhere. In the end, she is the person that saved me from ruining my school career. But a couple other people did as well! That year I believed in God again and set out to redeem myself the best I could. I stopped hanging out with those people that weren't good influences, I began paying better attention to messages in church, and I was learning from my past mistakes. Then in 9th grade I knew I'd be this way for good. My family moved to a new church since the old one wouldn't let my younger brother be in the kids rooms. The new church was much more interesting to me with engaging rock music and powerful messages that easily caught my attention throughout their entirety. Thanks to God showing us that church and encouraging us to go there, I felt ready to take the next step and follow the Lord. I got baptized close to a year ago. Since then my life has been a lot better. Even though I've been put in a ton of tough and scary situations, in the end I know this is all for God's glory and for me to spread the gospel and have eternal life in heaven! When I was a toddler I was diagnosed with a social disorder called Autism. It had changed my life for the worse for quite a while since I had used to be pretty social. Throughout many years before middle school I sometimes wanted to get involved in crazy and loud things but most of the time I really wanted to watch everyone else do it instead. The only thing I remember that I for sure got involved in with many other people was dancing in my church's kids program. I was pretty passionate about it and I loved singing the worship songs we danced along to each week. Middle school was where my life took some sharp turns. In 6th grade I was getting less interested in doing well in school due to video game addictions. I still got good grades for the most part but I got a D in my English class, which my parents punished me for until my 2nd trimester of school that year was over. They have always had high expectations for me in classes since I've always done well with learning things and retaining them for long periods of time. Thankfully, I learned my lesson from that and began to apply myself more in school like I used to. 7th grade was when I took a turn for the worse. Before that time I had always believed in God and wanted to follow the Ten Commandments. But in 7th grade I decided I would try to blend in with my peers since I was sick of getting teased/bullied for being myself. I was hanging out with a couple people from the wrong crowd and they greatly influenced me during that entire year. I started doubting God's existence since even when I believed in Him, life wasn't going well. I didn't realize it was all my fault until the following year. I was swearing, making horrible jokes, and more when I was around those certain people. However, when I wasn't around them I was usually quiet, thinking that if I say something uncool that my goals would be ruined. At least I was still getting good grades. Well, they were anyway. I'd gotten myself even lower in popularity and many of the peers that liked me before didn't like me anymore. In 8th grade I met a Christian who is now my best friend. It was her first year in my school district so I was one of the few people she knew once we started talking. She didn't know about my efforts to be cool and neither did most of the people in that class. When I was around her and the guy sitting next to me, I wasn't interested in doing all the bad things I was doing elsewhere. In the end, she is the person that saved me from ruining my school career. But a couple other people did as well! That year I believed in God again and set out to redeem myself the best I could. I stopped hanging out with those people that weren't good influences, I began paying better attention to messages in church, and I was learning from my past mistakes. Then in 9th grade I knew I'd be this way for good. My family moved to a new church since the old one wouldn't let my younger brother be in the kids rooms. The new church was much more interesting to me with engaging rock music and powerful messages that easily caught my attention throughout their entirety. Thanks to God showing us that church and encouraging us to go there, I felt ready to take the next step and follow the Lord. I got baptized close to a year ago. Since then my life has been a lot better. Even though I've been put in a ton of tough and scary situations, in the end I know this is all for God's glory and for me to spread the gospel and have eternal life in heaven! |
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First, I never came to Jesus, and I never chose Jesus. That is backwards thinking. Jesus came to me because he chose me. And here is my story of how I dun' got saved. One day, there was a teacher. Instead of recruiting the best and the brightest students, or those from the wealthiest or most powerful families, this teacher chose those that were decently educated, yet weren't of special worldly importance. He taught these men the scriptures and led them to a life of righteousness. The teacher was sinless, and his purpose in life was to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. On the day before Pentecost, he was taken up by the authorities in the area and hung on a cross. He died. Three days later he was raised. With his death, my sins were atoned for, and upon my death I will rise with him. All mankind will rise, the righteous and the unrighteous, and I will live with my God forever and ever. Amen. No other story is important. Your story doesn't matter. Shed your pride. And here is my story of how I dun' got saved. One day, there was a teacher. Instead of recruiting the best and the brightest students, or those from the wealthiest or most powerful families, this teacher chose those that were decently educated, yet weren't of special worldly importance. He taught these men the scriptures and led them to a life of righteousness. The teacher was sinless, and his purpose in life was to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. On the day before Pentecost, he was taken up by the authorities in the area and hung on a cross. He died. Three days later he was raised. With his death, my sins were atoned for, and upon my death I will rise with him. All mankind will rise, the righteous and the unrighteous, and I will live with my God forever and ever. Amen. No other story is important. Your story doesn't matter. Shed your pride. |
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Well...for me my journey was ruff fro the start I was born I wasn't meant to love but god already had a plan for me before I was even born. I felt that's why he let me live. He wanted me to do something to share with him in a way that no one could have done. And to be honest in my childhood days of being bullied from people because of my disabilities and other things. I wasn't serving good then I was confused and didn't know my way out of things. I had so many things running through my mind. Being bullied why was I being bullied for? For my looks? For the way I talk? Or because of how different I was to them that I had something that they never had and was jealous of it? I had little time for god then and had more time for anime. At the time only anime and video games were my only friends. They were the only thing that made me to heal and to encourage me saying other wise about myself. And how those people portrayed me to be of their talking. It took me quite a while before I let god in my life. This happened when I went to a different church at age 14 I think or at 13. I've been to many churches and I didn't feel what I needed to built my growth as a Christian. I mean I tried I really did but nothing happened and I gave up. I never liked church in the past because of how it was. So once we got to our new church things changed for me. And I actually tried to take an interest for it. I loved to sing so I would sing along praise and worship and even choir songs as well. Not so long after that I joined the choir finally after the bash talk with my mother about it. Being in the choir changed me in so many ways. I felt besides from their preaching that helped me to be closer to god. When I was in deep prayer I felt his presence within me. So anyways back to the point. I have come close to dying so many times in the hospital due to e being ill and whatnot. When that happens my face goes really pale. Heck my whole skin does then....I can confess this. I saw...a man wearing a white robe in the distance of the hospital room. I blink my eyes again and he was gone. I didn't know if I saw god? Or more like Jesus. I knew I saw him. But my mind was too overwhelmed to wrap around it. And I felt he didn't want me dying yet because I still have a lot to love for myself. For him and for other people to help as well. At the time only anime and video games were my only friends. They were the only thing that made me to heal and to encourage me saying other wise about myself. And how those people portrayed me to be of their talking. It took me quite a while before I let god in my life. This happened when I went to a different church at age 14 I think or at 13. I've been to many churches and I didn't feel what I needed to built my growth as a Christian. I mean I tried I really did but nothing happened and I gave up. I never liked church in the past because of how it was. So once we got to our new church things changed for me. And I actually tried to take an interest for it. I loved to sing so I would sing along praise and worship and even choir songs as well. Not so long after that I joined the choir finally after the bash talk with my mother about it. Being in the choir changed me in so many ways. I felt besides from their preaching that helped me to be closer to god. When I was in deep prayer I felt his presence within me. So anyways back to the point. I have come close to dying so many times in the hospital due to e being ill and whatnot. When that happens my face goes really pale. Heck my whole skin does then....I can confess this. I saw...a man wearing a white robe in the distance of the hospital room. I blink my eyes again and he was gone. I didn't know if I saw god? Or more like Jesus. I knew I saw him. But my mind was too overwhelmed to wrap around it. And I felt he didn't want me dying yet because I still have a lot to love for myself. For him and for other people to help as well. |
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acam : Nonono, you don't get to dismiss the problem. I have a huge criticism of this kind of "belief." I think this is egocentric and doesn't teach Christians to be good Christians. This isn't helpful to people, it's harmful. I think this kind of thought harms the Church. Stop harming the Church. Nonono, you don't get to dismiss the problem. I have a huge criticism of this kind of "belief." I think this is egocentric and doesn't teach Christians to be good Christians. This isn't helpful to people, it's harmful. I think this kind of thought harms the Church. Stop harming the Church. |
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Txgangsta : I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here. The Church goes far beyond the building you attend on Sundays. From my limited human understanding, I see it to be all people from all walks of life that were created under His will (that is, everyone). It's not out of pride that we share our stories, either. We all are called to build up other believers, are we not? These stories are meant for that end. This is merely a space to put your story down with the hope that your story can help those who know God or bring those who don't to get to know Him. I do understand, though, that He finds us. We don't find him. That instinct to run from His love is encoded into our very sinful nature. Edification of others is our responsibility as believers, however. Sorry for the long-winded response. Peace be with you. |
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I already posted this in the same thread title 5 years ago:
https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=11361&ppp=20&page=0#201001 You can check it out. https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=11361&ppp=20&page=0#201001 You can check it out. |
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acam : What I'm getting at is that not everyone has a story. I don't have a story. Millions of Christians don't have a story. Every single unbeliever doesn't have a story. This tactic might be good for certain superstitious individuals, but this is not beneficial for the growth of the whole. Talking about your own story alienates you from the group. Each person is special, sure, whatever, but "stories" do not unite us. This is divisive. What I'm getting at is that not everyone has a story. I don't have a story. Millions of Christians don't have a story. Every single unbeliever doesn't have a story. This tactic might be good for certain superstitious individuals, but this is not beneficial for the growth of the whole. Talking about your own story alienates you from the group. Each person is special, sure, whatever, but "stories" do not unite us. This is divisive. |
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Txgangsta : I respectfully disagree. Everyone has a story, no matter how small it may seem to onlookers. Even the smallest incident in anyone's lives (yours and mine included) can have a major impact on someone else's life. Like I said previously, this thread was meant to inspire and edify others through our stories. What may seem unimportant to you can serve as a guiding light for others. After all, God plans it all, down to the conversation we're having right now. Also, how is this divisive? I really don't see what you mean... |
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acam : The goal isn't to have our lives impact others! Don't you see? We aren't the important piece here! Yet you glorify us! No! I refuse to engage in such division. When I was young I felt entirely alienated because of this junk. I don't have a story, and I think these things are nothing more than Rorschachs. All those people that exist that do not have a story cannot relate to you. If this is all Christianity is, then it is worthless. The goal isn't to have our lives impact others! Don't you see? We aren't the important piece here! Yet you glorify us! No! I refuse to engage in such division. When I was young I felt entirely alienated because of this junk. I don't have a story, and I think these things are nothing more than Rorschachs. All those people that exist that do not have a story cannot relate to you. If this is all Christianity is, then it is worthless. |
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Txgangsta : "If this is all Christianity is, then it is worthless."
This is just one thread. And one thread on the internet. One thread doesn't sum up Christianity; some people might not have a testimony (although if you gave your life to Christ then think about what led you to do so). This is just one thread. And one thread on the internet. One thread doesn't sum up Christianity; some people might not have a testimony (although if you gave your life to Christ then think about what led you to do so). |
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Txgangsta : Hey bro. Cool your heals. First of all, EVERY RE-BORN Christian has a story. This story / testimony is so essential in sharing your faith with others, because it tells how Jesus Christ (not you) has transformed your life from being dead (spiritually speaking) to becoming a new creation IN CHRIST.
A Christian testimony is given when Christians relate how we came to know the God of the Bible through the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Most commonly, we are sharing how we became Christians by God’s miraculous intervention and work in our lives through specific events. Often we can only see that in hindsight, but sharing that experience is vital. Also, when giving this testimony especially to unbelievers, a sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is always a necessity. Though we can include specific information about how we came to accept Christ as Savior, those details should not be the focus of the testimony. The focus should be about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. A Christian testimony should not end with the conversion experience, but should also include the ways in which the Lord has worked in our lives to sanctify us for His service. As an example, a testimony could include how He brought us through a difficult time in our life (such as a loss or some sort or a severe illness) and built our faith in Him through that experience. We should also be able to describe the continual process by which the Spirit who now indwells us leads, guides, molds and shapes us into mature Christians. Again, the focus should be on the Lord and His faithfulness alone. Also, it doesn't matter if you think you don't have a "story". Not all of us had thunder and lighting experiences when we came to know God. Not all of us were drug addicts, running around naked in the streets when Jesus saved us. MANY (like me) are "ordinary" folk who grew up in pretty standard religious homes. I did not smoke, drink, A Christian testimony is given when Christians relate how we came to know the God of the Bible through the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Most commonly, we are sharing how we became Christians by God’s miraculous intervention and work in our lives through specific events. Often we can only see that in hindsight, but sharing that experience is vital. Also, when giving this testimony especially to unbelievers, a sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is always a necessity. Though we can include specific information about how we came to accept Christ as Savior, those details should not be the focus of the testimony. The focus should be about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. A Christian testimony should not end with the conversion experience, but should also include the ways in which the Lord has worked in our lives to sanctify us for His service. As an example, a testimony could include how He brought us through a difficult time in our life (such as a loss or some sort or a severe illness) and built our faith in Him through that experience. We should also be able to describe the continual process by which the Spirit who now indwells us leads, guides, molds and shapes us into mature Christians. Again, the focus should be on the Lord and His faithfulness alone. Also, it doesn't matter if you think you don't have a "story". Not all of us had thunder and lighting experiences when we came to know God. Not all of us were drug addicts, running around naked in the streets when Jesus saved us. MANY (like me) are "ordinary" folk who grew up in pretty standard religious homes. I did not smoke, drink, |
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tRIUNE : I didn't have a special moment when I "gave my life to Christ". That's not how it worked. I can't relate. SoL@R : I don't think every Christian is "reborn" in the way you describe. Why does everyone have a "conversion experience"? They don't! It doesn't happen like that. And to those that don't have that have these kinds of stories, you totally alienate them. It isn't that my story is boring or ordinary; my story doesn't exist. Even more so, your story, my story, and everyone else's story is insignificant. It's not theological, and usually is nothing more than superstition. It's just ink blots on a page, and you only see what you want to. @Everyone Do you not know what the atheists think when they hear these stories? They think you're nuts! And I agree with them! These "stories" are so filled with magic and superstition and poor theology I want to vomit. Telling "your story" is not just stupid, it's anti-Christian. By telling personal stories, you take the focus off of Christ. What gets the highlight is no longer God, but your life and how it changed. God is always, always derivative in the story. He's just the guy that did cool stuff for "you". This kind of evangelism does nothing more than give people ego trips. I hate it. Make Christ the focus. "Personal Testimonies" do not do it. This is a waste of time. You should believe because it is true, not because you realized you weren't perfect, or when you realized you were dumb as a teenager, or when you were diagnosed with a disease, or when you had a hallucination. These are nothing more than ink on paper, and you're only seeing what you want to see. Your pride warps these stories into making you "special". Why do you need to feel special to believe? This is your pride. Shed it. I didn't have a special moment when I "gave my life to Christ". That's not how it worked. I can't relate. SoL@R : I don't think every Christian is "reborn" in the way you describe. Why does everyone have a "conversion experience"? They don't! It doesn't happen like that. And to those that don't have that have these kinds of stories, you totally alienate them. It isn't that my story is boring or ordinary; my story doesn't exist. Even more so, your story, my story, and everyone else's story is insignificant. It's not theological, and usually is nothing more than superstition. It's just ink blots on a page, and you only see what you want to. @Everyone Do you not know what the atheists think when they hear these stories? They think you're nuts! And I agree with them! These "stories" are so filled with magic and superstition and poor theology I want to vomit. Telling "your story" is not just stupid, it's anti-Christian. By telling personal stories, you take the focus off of Christ. What gets the highlight is no longer God, but your life and how it changed. God is always, always derivative in the story. He's just the guy that did cool stuff for "you". This kind of evangelism does nothing more than give people ego trips. I hate it. Make Christ the focus. "Personal Testimonies" do not do it. This is a waste of time. You should believe because it is true, not because you realized you weren't perfect, or when you realized you were dumb as a teenager, or when you were diagnosed with a disease, or when you had a hallucination. These are nothing more than ink on paper, and you're only seeing what you want to see. Your pride warps these stories into making you "special". Why do you need to feel special to believe? This is your pride. Shed it. |
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12-23-15 02:12 PM
acam is Offline
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Txgangsta: You realize that not all people can throw out scripture at the drop of a hat, right? Sometimes we can only experience God through what he does in our lives. Now, I'm not saying that reading the word isn't important. It is nothing less than crucial that we read it daily. However, there are times where you're called to minister to someone who doesn't know the Bible explicitly (or perhaps, at all, for that matter). Then, a more personal testimony is needed for the connections to be made. Our God is a living God. So too, is his Word. He moves within our lives with our every breath, and his Word can be applied in our lives daily. Christ moves through us and our every decision goes through His filter. True, we are, in fact, nothing compared to God, but the point is that others see God through our own journeys with the King of Kings. He did make us after His own image, after all. Again, it's our responsibility as believers to bring those who don't know Christ to know him, and to edify those who struggle, as we all do, in their walk. I can't say it any more plainly than that. Peace be with you. |
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12-24-15 03:52 PM
Changedatrequest is Offline
| ID: 1228636 | 186 Words
Txgangsta
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acam : You say that we have to use personal stories because we don't know scripture? That doesn't raise a huge bright red flag for you? Seriously? And no, personal stories aren't necessary to minister to the masses. Personal stories are emotional appeals, and gain no more than emotional responses. We need to make logical appeals and divine appeals, and "personal testimonies" have you as the focus. God is the only reasonable story to tell. You need to tell the birth narrative. You need to tell the crucifixion story. You need to tell the life of Paul and the Apostles. You need to be able to tell people why you know these to be true. Be able to respond to logical, emotional, and historical objections to the truth of the scriptures. Then, when they are even just slightly convinced of the scriptures, we teach them the theology behind it all. Eventually, they will understand the truth. They won't "feel" the truth or blindly "accept" the truth, or worse, just simply fear to change. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) You say that we have to use personal stories because we don't know scripture? That doesn't raise a huge bright red flag for you? Seriously? And no, personal stories aren't necessary to minister to the masses. Personal stories are emotional appeals, and gain no more than emotional responses. We need to make logical appeals and divine appeals, and "personal testimonies" have you as the focus. God is the only reasonable story to tell. You need to tell the birth narrative. You need to tell the crucifixion story. You need to tell the life of Paul and the Apostles. You need to be able to tell people why you know these to be true. Be able to respond to logical, emotional, and historical objections to the truth of the scriptures. Then, when they are even just slightly convinced of the scriptures, we teach them the theology behind it all. Eventually, they will understand the truth. They won't "feel" the truth or blindly "accept" the truth, or worse, just simply fear to change. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) |
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12-24-15 07:29 PM
acam is Offline
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Txgangsta: The last paragraph right there was spot on. We do need to be able to explain what we believe from a scr |
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12-25-15 12:40 AM
Changedatrequest is Offline
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Txgangsta
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acam : I'm not advocating evangelizing like a retard. The problem here is that "personal testimonies" are no good. I've watched it in action, and I've analyzed it logically. It's nothing but an emotion appeal. You do nothing but make Jesus look cool. That is not an adequate means of preaching. Sadly, emotional appeals is all I see. Everywhere, thousands of Christians think they're evangelizing, but truly they are infants. They make no substantial appeals, they just communicate emotions. And Christian numbers are dropping like flies. And I understand why emotions are stressed so much. The original objection to the Christian message is that it was dry and cold. Now we have gone so far overboard that we've lost any intelligence in the Christian message. Science has progressed quite quickly, but our message is told like children. I'm not advocating evangelizing like a retard. The problem here is that "personal testimonies" are no good. I've watched it in action, and I've analyzed it logically. It's nothing but an emotion appeal. You do nothing but make Jesus look cool. That is not an adequate means of preaching. Sadly, emotional appeals is all I see. Everywhere, thousands of Christians think they're evangelizing, but truly they are infants. They make no substantial appeals, they just communicate emotions. And Christian numbers are dropping like flies. And I understand why emotions are stressed so much. The original objection to the Christian message is that it was dry and cold. Now we have gone so far overboard that we've lost any intelligence in the Christian message. Science has progressed quite quickly, but our message is told like children. |
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12-27-15 05:17 AM
tRIUNE is Offline
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We also have to be careful to not be stumbling block here; one person is saying something, and then the other is debating it...
God is not just intellect, and he is not just emotion, He's both a person of intellect and emotion. God is not just intellect, and he is not just emotion, He's both a person of intellect and emotion. |
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